Bracket for valanced shades



April 19, 1966 J. A. ANDERSON ETAL. 3,246,685

BRACKET FOR VALANCED SHADES Filed June 22, 1964 mmm NK@ M EEK www? M IMM -fwn M M A nited States Patent O hio Filed June 22, 1964, Ser. No. 376,662 2 Claims. (Cl. 16o-133) This invention relates to valance-type shades for windows, porches, and related usage, and particularly relates to .a unique bracket structure used in combination with valanced shades.

Roll-up shades composed of a plurality of suspended and interconnected slats, e.g. of wood, conventionally utilize underslung looped cords to controllably roll and unroll the shades for raising and lowering. The shades are mounted at their upper ends, and preferably have an overlapping upper end portion which forms a valance. Such shades require support means for the valance portion in a plane displaced out in front of the plane of the main portion of the shade. They also require mounting means for the cord pulleys mounted Ibetween the plane of the shade and that of the valance. They further must have attachment means for the fixed cord ends behind the plane of the major portion of the shade. These mounting and attachment means normally add complexity and manufacturing costs to a highly competitive article, and are therefore disadvantageous.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel bracket structure that, when used in pairs, performs the functions of (l) attaching the shade to a mounting beam, (2) suspending the cord pulleys in front of the shade and behind the valance, (3) mounting the fixed cord ends behind the shade, and (4) forming configurated support means for the overlapping shade valance portion. The bracket itself, even though performing all of these functions, is inexpensive to form using conventional techniques and materials. It has a unique construction which considerably lessens the overall cost of the shade.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valance shade assembly enabling simple convenient cut-down of the shade by relocation of a bracket, pulley, valance support and fixed end support of the draw cord, all by removal and reinsertion of one screw.

These and several other objects of this invention will become apparent upon studying the following specification in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. l is a front elevational fragmentary view of the top portion of the novel shade, shown with the valance lifted for viewing of the components thereunder;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of one of the two like novel brackets used with this assembly; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken on plane IIL-III of FIG. l, but with the valance lowered in its usual position.

The complete combination includes the shade subassembly 12, the supporting beam subassembly 14, and the cord and pulley operating mechanism 16.

The support beam subassembly 14 basically is centered around a wooden, elongated beam 20, generally rectangular in cross section. It extends the length of the Shade. It is conventionally attached to a portion of the building (not shown) by C-shaped clamps 22. The clamps 22' are previously screwed to the building structure. Beam is received in the clamps which ret-ain it by threaded tighteners 24. Beam 20 therefore has an exposed front face for attachment of the shade subassembly.

The shade is composed of a plurality of like, elongated, narrow slats 26, usually narrow lwood splints, b-ut conceivably of other material-s forming the shade fabric. These are interconnected by a pair of spaced, vertically p t ICC extending seine cords 28 in conventional fashion. It includes a main shade body portion and a forwardly exten-ding and downwardly depending valance portion formed of like slats 26. A bottom rail or molding 30 is attached to the lowermost slat of the valance to maintain its position.

The important part of this combination is the pair of novel brackets 40. Each bracket includes a main body 42 having a slight offset to receive and rest on a spacer 44. The spacer is secured to beam 20 by nails (not shown) which extend through the woven panel of the shade for partial Securement of the shade and rfor support of the brackets. Securement of each bracket is by a wood screw 46 extending through the bracket. Each is of sheet metal material. Each includes a forwardly extending horizontal flange 48 on the upper end to cause the valance portion of the shade to extend out in front of the main plane of the shade. Also, extending diagonally, rearwardly .and downwardly from the body of the bracket is a lower leg S0 Whi-ch extends between two of the slats of the shade to a position behind the plane of the shade, inclined about 45 to the horizontal. This leg includes an opening 51 which receives the fixed end of one of the draw cords 52. The cord has a knot 54 above this leg to be fixed thereto so that downward thrust can be applied to the cord. A second, lower, forwardly and downwardly extending diagonal leg 58, inclined about 45 to the horizontal, terminates between the plane of the main portion of the shade and that of the valance. This leg also includes an opening 60 on its lower end which receives the eye 62 supporting one cord pulley and bracket 64. This second leg is secured to the main Ibody of the bracket by screw 46 with its opening 65 and the aligned opening 66 in the bracket body. A supplemental spot weld can be used to reinforce the Securement between this leg and the bracket body. The screws help attach the bracket to the beam and help secure the shade.

It will be realized that supporting `and attachment functions of the components of the shade are performed by this pair of like brackets. Although the brackets were explained specifically in respect to that one shown on the right-hand side of the apparatus in FIG. l, the bracket on the left-hand side will be attached and function in the same manner. Further, although two are shown and normally used, three or more valance supports may be needed for wide shades.

The two draw cords passing around the two respective pulleys are operably connected with the normal manual pull cord '70 in conventional fashion.

Packaging of the total `shade assembly is quite complete so that mounting to beam 20 is achieved merely by attaching the spacer, and then by insertion of two screws 46. The entire assembly is then mounted and ready to operate. Pulley on the draw cords 70 causes the cords to pass around their respective pulleys which are securely anchored .between the plane of the shade and the plane of the valance. A conventional cord lock pulley mechanism 71 is normally employed. The opposite fixed ends of both ropes are simply, yet effectively, anchored by being knotted through openings 51. The entire structure is attractive, since the operative mechanism and bracket assembly are covered by the valance, which is shaped and supported by a portion of the brackets.

Various additional advantages may readily occur to those skilled in this field upon studying the foregoing form of the structure. Also, it is conceivable that the minor structural changes could be made without departing from the concept taught. The invention'is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a valance-type, roll-up, slatted window shade assembly supported on a beam, and having cords and pulleys; a plurality of like, integral brackets; each of said brackets having a vertical body with means for attachment to the support beam, an outwardly horizontally protruding upper flange comprising valance shaping and supporting means, a backwardly projecting lower leg extending through the slats of the shade and having means receiving the fixed end of one cord, and a forwardly projecting lower leg between the shade and valance having means engaging and supporting the pulleys.

2. In a valance-type, roll-up window shade having a pair of underslung roll-up cord means looped under the shade and passing around a pair of suspended pulleys, and a support beam for suspending the shade; a plurality of spaced like support brackets, each having a .body portion secured through said shade to said beam, and a forwardly projecting upper ange supporting the upper shade portion out away from the main portion of said shade to cause the Vlatter to form a valance; threaded fastener means securing said brackets to said beam against said shade; each of said brackets having a diagonally, downwardly, rearwardly extending leg projecting through said shade and having a lxed cord end attached thereto; each bracket also having a diagonally, downwardly, forwardly extending leg 4between said valance and main shade portion, interfitted with and suspending a cord pulley; and each of said latter legs having an opening also receiving said threaded fastener means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,187,458 `6/1916` Hough 160--133 2,524,988 10/1950` Nelson 16S-133 X 3,124,195 3/1964 Anderson i60-133 X HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

P. M. CAUN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A VALANCE-TYPE, ROLL-UP SLATTED WINDOWN SHADE ASSEMBLY SUPPORTED ON A BEAM, AND HAVING CORDS AND PULLEYS; A PLURALITY OF LIKE, INTEGRAL BRACKETS; EACH OF SAID BRACKETS HAVING A VERTICAL BODY WITH MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUPPORT BEAM, AN OUTWARDLY HORIZONTALLY PROTRUDING UPPER FLANGE COMPRISING VALANCE SHAPING AND SUPPORTING MEANS, A BACKWARDLY PROJECTING LOWER LEG EXTENDING THROUGH THE SLATS OF THE SHADE AND HAVING MEANS RECEIVING THE FIXED END OF ONE CORD, AND A FORWARDLY PROJECTING LOWER LEG BETWEEN THE SHADE AND VALANCE HAVING MEANS ENGAGING AND SUPPORTING THE PULLEYS. 